Authorities of local governing bodies in Britain are demanding more powers to rummage through single mums' bedrooms to make sure they do not commit fraud while being secretly shacked up with a lover.
Local governing bodies in Britain are seeking additional powers to determine that women claiming to be single mums are in fact single.
According to The Sun, the authorities are trying to catch people who wrongly claim a 25 per cent "single person" discount given to households with just one adult.People claiming this discount, are reportedly being pressured into signing a declaration allowing inspectors to access their property.
Tories, however, have voiced their concern on the matter.
The "wholly disproportionate" powers would mean people losing the benefit, worth hundreds of pounds, unless they allow officials into their bedrooms to check they are actually single," Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles, was quoted, as saying.
He said: "The rights and liberties of law-abiding citizens are being undermined, with more state officials trying to enter and spy on people's homes."
But the Department for Communities and Local Government said the claims were "utter nonsense" designed to frighten vulnerable people.
Source-ANI
RAS/V